In-store item alert architecture

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for alerting an individual is described. A determination as to whether an individual is within a sensing area of a first device is made. The first device may be configured to provide information about a product on a shelf on which the first device is attached. In response to determining that the individual is within the sensing area, a determination as to whether to notify an occurrence of the determination that the individual is within the sensing area of the first device to at least one second device is made. In response to determining to notify, a notification may be transmitted to the at least one second device that the individual is within the sensing area of the first device. An alert may be triggered at the at least one second device based upon the transmitted notification.

BACKGROUND

Customer retention and customer satisfaction are goals of manybusinesses. For businesses that focus on and rely on repeat customers,convenience for customers assists in meeting these goals. Manybusinesses attempt to make the process of purchase easier for acustomer. Businesses have developed self-checkout systems to expeditethe purchasing process. Over time grocery store type businesses havelearned to put similar items in the same area for convenience to acustomer. By putting all fresh fruits and vegetables in the same areaand putting all refrigerated milk, yogurt, cream, and cheese in the samearea, customers can purchase for one category without having to go allaround a grocery store. Further improvements and innovations in the areaof convenience for a customer are desired.

SUMMARY

A method and apparatus for alerting an individual is described. Adetermination as to whether an individual is within a sensing area of afirst device is made. The first device may be configured to provideinformation about a product on a shelf on which the first device isattached. In response to determining that the individual is within thesensing area, a determination as to whether to notify an occurrence ofthe determination that the individual is within the sensing area of thefirst device to at least one second device is made. In response todetermining to notify, a notification may be transmitted to the at leastone second device that the individual is within the sensing area of thefirst device. An alert may be triggered at the at least one seconddevice based upon the transmitted notification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some features herein are illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system for distributing content to acustomer in a store according to one or more illustrative aspects of thedisclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates another example system for distributing content to acustomer in a store according to one or more illustrative aspects of thedisclosure.

FIG. 3A illustrates an example block diagram of an apparatus forcommunicating and distributing content according to one or moreillustrative aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 3B illustrates an example block diagram of an apparatus forcommunicating and distributing content according to one or moreillustrative aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example block diagram of a system forcommunicating and distributing content to customers according to one ormore illustrative aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example block diagram of a system for identifying,communicating, and distributing content to customers according to one ormore illustrative aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates another example block diagram of a system foridentifying, communicating, and distributing content to customersaccording to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates another example block diagram of a system foridentifying, communicating, and distributing content to customersaccording to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example block diagram of a system forcommunicating and distributing content to customers according to one ormore illustrative aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example method of distributing content accordingto one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates another example method of distributing contentaccording to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates another example method of distributing contentaccording to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates another example method of distributing contentaccording to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 13 illustrates another example method of distributing contentaccording to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 14 illustrates another example method of distributing contentaccording to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system for distributing content to acustomer in a store according to one or more illustrative aspects of thedisclosure. The system in FIG. 1 shows an example of the customerwalking through a store with aisles. In this example, as the customerwalks from location 103A to location 103B, the customer passes shelflabel device 105A. Shelf label device 105A, as described in more detailherein, is a networked, interactive self-edge communication andinformation exchange platform. Shelf label 105A provides information toa customer about an associated item/product, such as the price of theitem, weight of the item, price per oz. of the item, name of the item,etc. In the example of FIG. 1, shelf label device 105A also may beconfigured to determine that the customer is near it. In this example,when the customer has stopped at location 103B and the shelf labeldevice 105A has detected the presence of the customer near the shelflabel device 105A, the system may determine that the customer is lookingat an item associated with shelf label device 105A.

In response to such a detection/determination, shelf label device 105Amay notify related shelf label devices of this occurrence. For example,shelf label device 105B which is also along aisle 101A may be notifiedby shelf device 105A. Shelf label device 105B may be associated with anitem that is related to the item associated with shelf label device105A. For example, the item associated with shelf label device 105A maybe a toothbrush by manufacturer X and the item associated with shelflabel device 105B may be toothpaste by the same manufacturer X. In theexample of FIG. 1, shelf label device 105A may be related to shelf labeldevice 105B because both shelf label devices are located along aisle101A and may be by the same manufacturer X.

Determining that one shelf label device is related to another shelflabel device may be based on any of a number of factors. For example,one shelf label device may be related to another shelf label device formarketing purposes. In such an example, a store may have a specialmarketing program for a particular manufacturer Y. Upon the consumerentering an aisle in which manufacturer Y has an item offered for sale,the shelf label device associated with the item of the manufacturer Ymay be notified by another shelf label device. As described herein, theshelf label device associated with the item of the manufacturer Y maytrigger an alert to get the customer's attention. In the example of FIG.1, shelf label device 105B has any alert triggered of flashing lights.The flashing lights may be part of a display of the shelf label deviceand/or may be an LED light or some other type of light. As such, thecustomer may be attracted to shelf label device 105B and subsequentlydecide to purchase the item associated with it.

In another example, the customer may proceed to location 103C alongaisle 101B. Shelf label device 105C in the aisle 101B may detect thepresence of the customer. Upon determining that the customer has takenan item associated with shelf label 105C, the system may determine ifany items offered for sale in the aisle 101B may be in conflict with theitem associated with shelf label device 105C. For example, the itemassociated with shelf label device 105C may be a particular breed offish. Fish associated with shelf label device 105D and 105E may beparticular breeds of fish that cannot cohabit with the fish associatedwith shelf label item 105C. For example, the fish associated with shelflabel device 105D and shelf label device 105E may be known to eat thefish associated with shelf label device 105C. As such, the relationshipof the shelf label devices 105C, 105D, and 105E, may be a negativerelationship. In such an example, the alert of shelf label devices 105Dand 105E may be an alert to not purchase the item associated with shelflabel devices 105D and 105E.

In another example, shelf label devices 105D and 105E may only output analert for a predetermined period of time. If shelf label device 105Dand/or 105E senses that the customer is near the shelf label item withinthe threshold predetermined period of time, the shelf label device maydisengage its alert and subsequently return to a usual or default outputdisplay. Alternatively the shelf label device may return to the usual ordefault output display when a threshold period of time has been met andsensing of the presence of the customer has not occurred.

Proceeding to the example where the customer has moved to location 103Ein aisle 101C, shelf label device 105F may determine that the customeris near it. Shelf label device 105F may notify related shelf labeldevices 105G, 105H, and 105I. In response, shelf label devices 105G,105H, and 105I, may trigger alerts to catch the customer's attention. Inthis example, attention is being drawn to the item associated with shelflabel device 105I, but an alert is being triggered for shelf labeldevices 105G and 105H to guide the customer to shelf label item 105I. Inthis particular example, displays associated with the shelf labeldevices 105G and 105H output a directional arrow that guides thecustomer to shelf label device 105I. In this example, the customer movesto location 103F and may decide to purchase the item associated withshelf label device 105I.

FIG. 2 illustrates another example system for distributing content to acustomer in a store according to one or more illustrative aspects of thedisclosure. The system in FIG. 2 shows another example of a customerwalking through a store with aisles. In this example, the customer mayhave a list of items to purchase, such as an electronic grocery storeshopping list. Such an electronic grocery store shopping list may bemaintained on a mobile device, such as a portable phone, of the customerand/or may be maintained in a server associated with the store itself.For example, the customer may keep an online grocery list associatedwith the store. The customer may update the list as needed at home or ona mobile device. Then the customer may access the store in the exampleof FIG. 2.

As a customer enters a store and the first aisle 201A, the customer maybegin at location 203A. In response, a shelf label device 205A maydetect the presence of the customer in aisle 201A. Shelf label device205A may access a customer list of the customer. Shelf label device 205Amay access an electronic grocery store shopping list of the customerthat is maintained in the customer's smart phone. Such an electronicgrocery store shopping list may be part of a software application of thestore available on the smartphone of the customer. Having accessed thelist, shelf label device 205A may determine if the item associated withit is on the customer's list and may determine if any items associatedwith the customer's list are on aisle 201A. In this example, there areno items in the aisle 201A other than the item associated with shelflabel device 205A. As such, the customer may select the item associatedwith the shelf label device 205A and may proceed to location 203B.

At location 203B, shelf label device 205B in aisle 201B may determinethat the customer is within its sensing area and access the customerlist from the customer's smart phone. Shelf label device 205B maydetermine that the item it is associated with is not on the customer'slist; however, shelf label device 205B may determine the itemsassociated with the shelf label devices 205C, 205D and 205E are on thecustomer's list. In response, shelf label device 205B may notify shelflabel devices 205C, 205D, and 205E that the items associated with themare on the customer's list. In response, shelf label devices 205C, 205D,and 205E may trigger an alert to attract the customer to its associateditem. Such a system may allow for a customer that has no familiaritywith a store to quickly obtain all items on the customer's grocery list.As similarly described in FIG. 1, one or more of the alerts of shelflabel devices 205C, 205D, and 205E may be an alert to the customer tonot purchase its associated item.

Similarly, as the customer proceeds to location 203C in aisle 201C,shelf label device 205F may sense the presence of the customer,determine that the item associated with its use on the customer's list,and notify shelf label devices 205G and 205H that the items associatedwith them are also on the customer's list. In this example, shelf labeldevice 205F may access the grocery list of the customer directly fromthe customer smartphone just as shelf label device 205A did.Alternatively, shelf label device 205F may have been notified by anothershelf label device, such as shelf label device 205A, that the itemassociated with shelf label device 205F is on the customer's list. Onlyafter detecting that the customer is close to shelf label device 205Fmay shelf label 205F trigger an alert to the customer. For example, in astore that has 20 aisles, a shelf label device on the aisle 19 may nottrigger an alert for the customer until knowing that the customer is onthe aisle 19.

In yet another example, the customer list may be determined prior to acustomer coming within a sensing range of a shelf label device. Forexample, as the customer enters the store, the store may identify thecustomer, such as through access of the customer smartphone and/or someother manner, e.g. biometrically. Upon identification of the customer,the store may access the customer's list. For example the customer mayhave an online account with the store for maintaining a list of itemsfor purchase at the store. Such an online account and list may bemaintained in a server and database associated with the store. Theserver may notify all shelf label devices associated with items on thecustomer's list that the customer is in the store and to be prepared totrigger an alert when the customer is within sensing range of the shelflabel device.

FIG. 3A illustrates an example block diagram of an apparatus forcommunicating and distributing content according to one or moreillustrative aspects of the disclosure. Network 310 may include networksof one or more access points, Internet devices, telephone networks,cellular telephone networks, fiber optic networks, local wirelessnetworks (e.g., WiMAX), satellite networks, and any other desirednetwork. The network 310 may include and/or function as a cloudcomputing infrastructure comprising various processing and/or memorydevices (e.g., servers, databases, application providers, etc.).

The various devices described herein, such as a shelf label device and aserver, may be computing devices, and FIG. 3A illustrates generalhardware elements that can be used to implement any of the variouscomputing devices discussed herein. The computing device 300 may includeone or more processors 301, which may execute instructions of a computerprogram to perform any of the features described herein. Processor 301may comprise a customized digital integrated circuit such as an ASIC.However, in some applications, commercially available processors may beemployed. The instructions may be stored in any type of non-transitorycomputer-readable medium or memory, to configure the operation of theprocessor 301. For example, instructions may be stored in a read-onlymemory (ROM) 302, random access memory (RAM) 303, hard drive 305,removable media 304, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive, compactdisk (CD) or digital versatile disk (DVD), floppy disk drive, or anyother desired electronic storage medium. Instructions may also be storedin an attached (or internal) hard drive 305. One or more of the memories302, 303, 304, and/or 305 may include a more advanced operationenvironment such as an operating system for advanced functionality andadaptability. One or more memories 302, 303, 304, and/or 305 may includea stored address location and a display data location. Address locationmay include an address that identifies the computing device 300. Theaddress may uniquely identify the computing device 300. Display datamemory may be used by processor 301 to format data to be displayed ondisplay 311. This may include text data, graphics, dynamic content, andcombinations. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the displaydata in a memory may is in accordance with a mark-up language such asHTML, XML, or the like.

The computing device 300 may include one or more output devices, such asa display 311 (or an external display), and may include one or moreoutput device controllers 307, such as a video processor. There may alsobe one or more user input devices (not shown), such as a remote control,keyboard, mouse, touch screen, microphone, etc. In another embodiment,input/output functions with a user may occur through display 311 wheredisplay 311 may be configured to allow for touch screen input in orderto see additional output on the display 311. The computing device 300may also include one or more network interfaces, such as input/outputcircuits 309 (such as a network interface circuit) to communicate withan external network 310. The network interface 309 may be a wiredinterface, wireless interface, or a combination of the two. The networkinterface 309 allows for communication between two computing devices,such as two shelf label devices, e.g., 105D and 105E in FIG. 1, and/or ashelf label device and a server (e.g., 405A and 401 in FIG. 4 describedbelow).

Computing device 300 also may include an energy harvester component 313.Energy harvester component 313 allows for the computing device tooperate the processor 301 and various other components without the needfor a dedicated battery source or external power source, such as an ACsource connection. Energy harvester 313 may be configured to operate byharvesting energy for operation from ambient light in a store where thecomputing device is located. Light energy may be captured by a varietyof means for conversion, such as by photo sensors, solar photovoltaicpanels, and photo diodes. Because the computing device 300 may operatewithout an external source connection, movement of the computing devicefrom one physical location to another physical location can beaccomplished without the need to reconnect to another external source.Further, because the computing device 300 may operate without aninternal battery, the computing device does not need to be checked toensure operation nor need to have a technician replace the internalbattery.

Computing device 300 also is shown to include one or more sensors 315.Sensor(s) 315 may include one or more of a variety of different sensingmechanisms. Sensor 315 may include a motion detection element in orderto detect the presence of an object, such as a customer, in a viewingrange of the sensor. Such a motion detection element may be configuredto signal the processor upon occurrence of the motion detection elementdetecting an object within its range of viewing. Sensor 315 may beconfigured to include a threshold for detecting the presence of acustomer for a period of time as opposed to just walking past the sensor315. If the customer is detected to remain within the viewing range ofthe sensor 315 past the threshold time period, the sensor 315 then maysignal the processor 301 of a triggering event. From there, as describedherein, the processor may execute instructions for changing the displayand/or changing an alert status. Sensor 315 may be of another type, suchas a temperature sensor to detect a change in temperature within thesensing area. Such a change in temperature may be identified as thepresence of a customer. In still other variations, sensor 315 mayinclude a light change sensor for detecting a change in light within theviewing area of the sensor. Again such a light change may indicate thepresence of a customer.

FIG. 3B illustrates an example block diagram of an apparatus forcommunicating and distributing content according to one or moreillustrative aspects of the disclosure. In the example of FIG. 3B, anelectronic shelf label device 350 is shown operatively connected to anetwork 310. As described with respect to FIG. 3A, Network 310 mayinclude networks of one or more access points, Internet devices,telephone networks, cellular telephone networks, fiber optic networks,local wireless networks (e.g., WiMAX), satellite networks, and any otherdesired network. The network 310 may include and/or function as a cloudcomputing infrastructure comprising various processing and/or memorydevices (e.g., servers, databases, application providers, etc.).

Electronic shelf label device 350 may include one or more processors351, which may execute instructions of a computer program to perform anyof the features described herein. Processor 351 may comprise acustomized digital integrated circuit such as an ASIC. However, in someapplications, commercially available processors may be employed. Theinstructions may be stored in any type of non-transitorycomputer-readable medium or memory 352, to configure the operation ofthe processor 351. For example, instructions may be stored in aread-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), hard drive,removable media, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive, compactdisk (CD) or digital versatile disk (DVD), floppy disk drive, and/or anyother desired electronic storage medium. Instructions may also be storedin an attached (or internal) hard drive. Memory 352 may include a moreadvanced operation environment such as an operating system for advancedfunctionality and adaptability. Memory 352 may include a stored addresslocation and a display data location. Address location may include anaddress that identifies the electronic shelf label device 350. Theaddress may uniquely identify the electronic shelf label device 350.Display data memory may be used by processor 351 to format data to bedisplayed on display 361. This may include text data, graphics, dynamiccontent, and combinations. In accordance with at least one embodiment,the display data in a memory may is in accordance with a mark-uplanguage such as HTML, XML, or the like.

The electronic shelf label device 350 may include one or more outputdevices, such as a display 361 (or an external display), and may includeone or more output device controllers (not shown), such as a videoprocessor. There may also be one or more user input devices (not shown),such as a remote control, keyboard, mouse, touch screen, microphone,etc. In another embodiment, input/output functions with a user may occurthrough display 361 where display 361 may be configured to allow fortouch screen input in order to see additional output on the display 361.The electronic shelf label device 350 may also include one or morenetwork interfaces, such as input/output circuits (such as a networkinterface circuit not shown) to communicate with an external network310. The network interface may be a wired interface, wireless interface,or a combination of the two. The network interface allows forcommunication between two electronic shelf label devices, such as shelflabel devices, 105D and 105E in FIG. 1, and/or a shelf label device anda server (e.g., 405A and 401 in FIG. 4 described below).

Electronic shelf label device 350 also may include a power supply 353.Power supply 353 may be configured to allow for the electronic shelflabel device 350 to operate the processor 351 and various othercomponents without the need for a dedicated battery source or externalpower source, such as an AC source connection. Power supply 353 may beconfigured to operate by harvesting energy for operation from ambientlight in a store where the electronic shelf label device 350 is located.Light energy may be captured by a variety of means for conversion, suchas by photo sensors, solar photovoltaic panels, and photo diodes.Because the electronic shelf label device 350 may operate without anexternal source connection, movement of the electronic shelf labeldevice 350 from one physical location to another physical location canbe accomplished without the need to reconnect to another externalsource. Further, because the electronic shelf label device 350 mayoperate without an internal battery, the electronic shelf label device350 does not need to be checked to ensure operation nor need to have atechnician replace the internal battery.

Electronic shelf label device 350 also is shown to include one or moresensors 355. Sensor(s) 355 may include one or more of a variety ofdifferent sensing mechanisms. Sensor 355 may include a motion detectionelement in order to detect the presence of an object, such as acustomer, in a viewing range of the sensor. Such a motion detectionelement may be configured to signal the processor 351 upon occurrence ofthe motion detection element detecting an object within its range ofviewing. Sensor 355 may be configured to include a threshold fordetecting the presence of a customer for a period of time as opposed tojust walking past the sensor 355. If the customer is detected to remainwithin the viewing range of the sensor 355 past the threshold timeperiod, the sensor 355 then may signal the processor 351 of a triggeringevent. From there, as described herein, the processor 351 may executeinstructions for changing the display 361 and/or changing an alertstatus. Sensor 355 may be of another type, such as a temperature sensorto detect a change in temperature within the sensing area. Such a changein temperature may be identified as the presence of a customer. In stillother variations, sensor 355 may include a light change sensor fordetecting a change in light within the viewing area of the sensor. Againsuch a light change may indicate the presence of a customer.

Electronic shelf label device 350 also is shown to include one or morealert mechanisms 363. Alert mechanism(s) 363 may include one or more ofa variety of different alert mechanisms. Alert mechanism(s) 363 may bean audio and/or visual alert mechanism for gaining the attention of acustomer. Alert mechanism 363 may be triggered upon determining thatsensor(s) 355 have determined the presence of a customer in a field ofview of the electronic shelf label device 350. Upon sensing the presenceof the customer, sensor 355 may provide an input to processor 351 of theoccurrence and processor 351 may trigger the alert mechanism 363 toengage an alert. Such an alert may include an audio alert, a video alerttriggered through display 361 in which alert mechanism 3623 may beoperatively connected, and/or a visual alert, such as a flashing and/orblinking light. As should be understood, one or more of the componentson electronic shelf label device 350 may be included within oneintegrated circuit and may all be included within one physical housing.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example block diagram of a system forcommunicating and distributing content to customers according to one ormore illustrative aspects of the disclosure. FIG. 4 illustratescommunication capabilities of the shelf label devices as part of anetwork 310 with a communications server 401 and database 403. In thisexample, shelf label devices 405A, 405B, and 405C each may communicatewith each other such as via a wireless communication capability and mayfurther communicate with shelf label devices 405D, 405E, and 405F, aswell as communications server 401 through network 310. Network 310 maybe a plurality of access points within a store permitting communicationbetween the various shelf label devices and communication server 401.Shelf label devices 405A, 405B, and 405C may communicate with each othervia short range transmission capabilities as these three shelf labeldevices may be located physically close to each other. For example,shelf label devices 405A, 405B, and 405C, may all be on the same aisleof a store.

Similarly, shelf label devices 405D, 405E, and 405F may communicate witheach other via short range transmission capabilities as these threeshelf label devices may be located physically close to each other. Forexample, shelf label devices 405D, 405E, and 405F, may be on the sameaisle of a store. However, shelf label devices 405D, 405E, and 405F maybe on a different aisle of a store than shelf label devices 405A, 405B,and 405C. As such, it may be necessary for communication between shelflabel device 405A and shelf label device 405D to occur through network310, such as through an access point.

A database 403 may maintain various customer lists associated with thestore and may be accessible by a customer through a website of the storethrough its communication server 401. A communications server 401 maysubsequently provide data and instructions to one or more shelf labeldevices for a particular customer that has a list maintained withindatabase 403 when that customer enters the store and is identified.Communications server 401 also may update shelf label devices asnecessary for new data and/or new software upgrades as described herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example block diagram of a system for identifying,communicating, and distributing content to customers according to one ormore illustrative aspects of the disclosure. FIG. 5 illustrates anexample for a shelf label device 505A accessing a user equipment device501. In this example, user equipment device 501 may be a customer'ssmart phone. The customer smartphone may include an applicationassociated with a store that is associated with the shelf label device505A. Shelf label device 505A may access a list maintained on the userequipment device 501 by any of a number of means including accessing thelist through a server associated with the shelf label device 505A andthe store and wirelessly obtaining the list from the user equipmentdevice 501. In the example of accessing the list to a server associatedwith the shelf label device 505A, the server may access the list on theuser equipment device 501 through network 310. For example a customermay join network 310 of the store and, in doing so, allow the server toaccess the list on the user equipment device 501. In response, theserver may notify the shelf label device 505A and/or shelf label device505B through network 310. Shelf label device 505A may communicate, asnecessary, directly with shelf label device 505B and/or through network310.

FIG. 6 illustrates another example block diagram of a system foridentifying, communicating, and distributing content to customersaccording to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure. FIG. 6illustrates an example for a shelf label device 605A sensing thepresence of a customer 601. In this example, shelf label 605A may detectcustomer 601 as looking at an item associated with shelf label device605A. Shelf label device 605A may include a sensor, such as sensor 315,to detect the motion of the customer in front of the shelf label device605A. In response to determining the presence of customer 601, shelflabel device and 605A may notify related shelf label item 605B eitherdirectly via short range wireless communication and/or through network310. In response to sensing of customer 601, and the communication fromshelf label device 605A to shelf label device 605B, shelf label device605A and/or shelf label device 605B may trigger an alert as describedherein. If detection of the presence of customer 601 occurs upon entryto the store, network 310 may notify shelf label devices 605A and/or605B of the presence of customer 601 in the store. Subsequently shelflabel 605A may wait to trigger an alert until it is confirmed thatcustomer 601 is in the aisle that shelf labels 605A located within.

FIG. 7 illustrates another example block diagram of a system foridentifying, communicating, and distributing content to customersaccording to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure. FIG. 7may be an example for tracking movement of a customer 601 through astore in order to deliver content electronically to the customer 601. Inthis example shelf label device 705A may be configured to sense thepresence of customer 601 within its sensing range. In one example, atimestamp may be associated with when the sentencing of the presence ofcustomer 601 occurred by shelf label device 705A. Shelf label device705B also may detect the presence of customer 601 when the customer iswithin the sensing range of shelf label device 705B. Another timestampmay be associated with when a sensing of the presence of the customer601 occurred by shelf label device 705B.

Communications server 401 may receive the two timestamps and determinethe time interval between the timestamps. Such information may be usedto track the direction and speed of movement of the customer through thestore. In addition, the timestamp data may be utilized to captureshopping trend data without compromising a specific shopper's privacy.Various timestamp data for one or more customers may be used indetermining directional paths, dwell times, and total shopping times ofcustomers in general. Because the timestamp data may be captured in realtime for a variety of different areas of a shopping facility and for avariety of different promotions, times of day, etc., trend data forgeneral shopping within the shopping facility may be determined for amore accurate representation of what is working in promoting sales orproducts in the shopping facility and what is not working. Such trenddata may assist retailers of the shopping facility to understand howlack of a specific product sale may not be limited to a customer notwanting that particular product due to content, price, quantity, alonebut may include other factors such as location on a shelf, orientationof the product with respect to other related or similar products, aswell as the physical layout of the shopping facility itself.

Additional time interval data may be determined as necessary based ontimestamps associated with additional shelf label devices that sense thepresence of customer 601. For example shelf label device 705C may sensethe presence of customer 601 and the timestamp may be associated withthis detection. In response to tracking the movement of the customerthrough the store, server 401 may direct additional content to beoutputted by a shelf label device. As such, if the store has a marketingcampaign for a specific manufacturer Z, movement of the customer 601 maybe tracked in order to notify shelf label devices associated with itemsof manufacturer Z and/or items near other items of manufacturer Z whenthe customer 601 is close and thus the shelf label device should triggerand alert the customer.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example block diagram of a system forcommunicating and distributing content to customers according to one ormore illustrative aspects of the disclosure. FIG. 8 may illustrate anexample for updating one or more shelf label devices. Shelf labeldevices 805A, 805B and 805C are shown connected to communication server401 through network 310. Shelf label devices 805A, 805B, and 805C alsoare shown as wirelessly connected to each other. Communication server401 may be connected to an updating database 803. In this example, anupdate may be needed for data for shelf label device 805B. The updatefor shelf label device 805B may occur in a number of manners. In oneexample, communication server 401 may obtain the updated data fromdatabase 803 and provide the update through network 310 to shelf labeldevice 805C. In another example, communication server 401 may obtain theupdated data from database 803 and provide the update through network310 to shelf label 805B. Shelf label device 805B may communicatewirelessly with shelf label device 805C to send the update intended forshelf label device 805C to shelf label device 805C.

In another example, communications server 401 may be configured tocommunicate with only shelf label 805A. In such an example,communications server 401 may obtain the updated data from database 803and provide the update through network 310 to shelf label device 805A.Shelf label device 805A may be a primary device and may communicateupdates for any secondary devices associated with it. For example shelflabel device 805B and shelf label device 805C may be secondary devicesthat do not have direct communication ability with communications server401. In such an example, any update to shelf label device 805B and/orshelf label device 805C is obtained from its primary device, shelf labeldevice 805A. Such a configuration of primary and secondary devices mayassist in alleviating data collision where simultaneous data packettransmission between two or more devices collides in transit. Byallowing for simultaneous transmission, one or more of the devices mayinclude some type of channel sensing capability to facilitatesimultaneous transmission of data packets by multiple devices and/orcontrol over transmissions to coordinate with secondary devices inpassing along necessary data to secondary devices.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example method of distributing content accordingto one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure. In one example,one or more of the steps of FIG. 9 may be implemented by computingdevice 300 in FIG. 3A and/or a device shown in FIGS. 3B, 4, 5, and/or 6.The process starts and at step 901 a customer is determined to be nearthe shelf label device. For example customer 601 may be determined to benear shelf label device 105A. Proceeding to step 903 as an optionalstep, the system may determine if an item was taken from the associatedshelf label device before proceeding to step 905. At step 905, thesystem may determine items related to the item of the shelf label devicein step 901 and the associated shelf label devices for such determineditems. For example, shelf label device 105C may determine that the itemsassociated with shelf label devices 105D and 105E are related to theitem associated with shelf label device 105C. In response, in step 905,a shelf label device may notify its related shelf label device(s). Inthe example of FIG. 1, shelf label device 105C may notify shelf labeldevices 105D and 105E. Notification from shelf label device 105C toshelf label devices 105D and 105E may occur wirelessly and/or through anetwork such as network 310.

Moving to step 909, for the shelf label device in step 901 and/or beingnotified shelf label devices in step 907, a determination may be made asto whether an alert is needed to be triggered. As described herein, suchan alert may be a visual alert, and audio alert, and/or a combination ofthe two. Such an alert may be outputted on a display of the shelf labeldevice and/or some other component of the shelf label device. If noalert is needed in step 909, the process proceeds to step 911 where theshelf label device displays as usual/default. If the shelf label devicewas already operating in a usual/default manner, the shelf label devicemay continue to display in the same manner. However, if a determinationin step 909 is that an alert is needed the process proceeds to step 913.

In step 913, the needed alert is determined to be positive or negative.A positive alert may be an example of a related item such as toothpasteto a toothbrush or conditioner to shampoo to attract the customer topurchase the related item. A negative alert may be an example of arelated item that is in conflict with another item already in a shoppingcart/to be purchased by the customer. For example, an over the counterdrug may be in conflict with another over the counter drug that thecustomer has already taken to purchase. Similarly, if a customer hastaken an alcoholic beverage for per purchase, and over the counter drugthat reacts to alcohol may have a shelf label device with a triggerednegative alert to inform the customer of the conflict.

Moving to step 915, the shelf label device triggers its alert to thecustomer. The alert may be triggered while detecting the presence of thecustomer and/or before detecting the presence of the customer. Adetermination may be made in step 917 to see if a threshold amount oftime has been reached before a customer has entered a sensing area ofthe shelf label device. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, shelf labeldevice 105E may have a triggered negative alert for a customer. Shelflabel device 105E may trigger the alert for a threshold period of timeuntil one of two occurrences. If it is determined that the customer iswithin the sensing area of shelf label device 105E, the trigger isdisengaged or the trigger is disengaged if a threshold period of timehas been met and the customer is still not within a sensing area ofshelf label device 105E.

If the threshold period of time in step 917 has not been, the processproceeds to step 919 where the shelf label device determines that thecustomer is within its sensing area. In such an example the customer maybe looking at the item associated with the shelf label device. Theprocess then proceeds to step 921. If the threshold period of time instep 917 has been met, the process proceeds directly to step 921 wherethe a learned of the shelf label device may be disengaged beforeproceeding to step 911 where the shelf label device displays itsinformation in a usual/default manner.

FIG. 10 illustrates another example method of distributing contentaccording to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure. In oneexample, one or more of the steps of FIG. 10 may be implemented bycomputing device 300 in FIG. 3A and/or a device shown in FIGS. 3B, 4, 5,and/or 6. The process starts and at step 1001 a customer is determinedto be near the shelf label device. For example customer 601 may bedetermined to be near shelf label device 205A. Proceeding to step 1003,a customer list of the customer 601 may be accessed. Such an example maybe where the customer list is maintained on a mobile device, such as asmartphone, of customer 601. Having accessed the customer list in step1003, the shelf label device may perform two functions successivelyand/or concurrently. In step 1005, a determination is made as to whetherthe item associated with the shelf label device in step 1001 is on thecustomer list. If it is determined that the item associated with theshelf label device in step 1001 is on the customer list, the shelf labeldevice will trigger an alert in step 1013. If it is determined in step1005 that the item associated with the shelf label device is not acustomer list, the process proceeds to step 1009 where the shelf labeldevice outputs a display of data in a usual/default manner.

In step 1007, the determination may be made as to whether one or moreitems that are on the list of the customer are on the same aisle as theshelf label device in step 1001. For example, if the shelf label devicein step 1001 is shelf label device 205A, the determination in step 1007would be that no items in the aisle 201A are also on the list of thecustomer and therefore proceed to step 1009. If it is determined thatother items on the list of the customer are on the same aisle as theshelf label device in step 1001, the process proceeds to step 1011 wherethe shelf label devices on the same aisle as shelf label device in step1001 are notified by the shelf label device in step 1001 that the itemassociated with the shelf label device is on the customer's list. Fromstep 1011, the process proceeds to step 1013 where an alert is triggeredon the shelf label device. In the example of FIG. 2, shelf label device205B may be the shelf label device in step 1001 and shelf label devices205C, 205D, and 205E maybe even notified shelf label devices in step1011. In such an example, shelf label devices 205B, 205C, 205D, and 205Eall trigger an alert in step 1013.

In step 1015, the shelf label device may determine that a customer is nolonger near the shelf label device, such as by determining that thecustomer is no longer within a sensing area of the shelf label device orthat a predetermined period of time has passed. Proceeding to step 1017,the alert at the shelf label device may be disengaged. Such a shelflabel device may then display in a usual/default manner in step 1009.

FIG. 11 illustrates another example method of distributing contentaccording to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure. In oneexample, one or more of the steps of FIG. 11 may be implemented bycomputing device 300 in FIG. 3A and/or a device shown in FIGS. 3B, 4, 5,and/or 6. The process starts and at step 1101 a customer list of acustomer, such as customer 601, may be determined. Such an example maybe where the customer list is maintained in a database, such as database403, associated with this server, such as communication server 401,maintained by a store. The list of the customer may have been generatedthrough a website of the store. A server of a store may notify one ormore shelf label device is related to items on the customer's list instep 1103. For example, server 401 may notify shelf label device 605Aand/or 605B that the item associated with the respective shelf labeldevice is on the list of the customer.

Proceeding to step 1105, a determination may be made as to whether thecustomer is near one of the shelf label devices of an item on the listof the customer. For example, it may be determined that customer 601 isnot within a sensing area of shelf label 605A. In such an example, theprocess repeats until a shelf label device associated with an item onthe customer's list senses the customer within its sensing range. Insome examples, the device may sense light, heat, and/or odors. Theprocess moves to step 1107 where an alert for the shelf label device istriggered. In step 1109, the alerting shelf label device from step 1107determines that the customer is near it. Such an example may be whereshelf label device 205C has triggered an alert and senses that thecustomer is within its sensing range. The alert may be disengaged instep 1111 and proceeding to step 1113, the shelf label device maydisplay in a usual/default manner.

Proceeding to step 1115, a determination may be made as to whether moreitems on the list to the customer are in the aisle where the customeris. If not, the process may end. If it is determined that more items onthe list of the customer are in the aisle that the customer is on, theprocess may return back to step 1105 until another shelf label device ofan item on the list of the customer in that aisle senses the presence ofthe customer. For example, in FIG. 2, shelf label devices 205D and 205Emay be associated with items on the customer's list that the customerhas not yet come within a sensing area of either shelf label device.

FIG. 12 illustrates another example method of distributing contentaccording to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure. In oneexample, one or more of the steps of FIG. 12 may be implemented bycomputing device 300 in FIG. 3A and/or a device shown in FIG. 3B or 7.The process starts and at step 1201, and a customer may be determined tobe near a first shelf label device. Such an example may be as shown inFIG. 7 where customer 601 is determined to be near shelf label device705A. The timestamp of the occurrence of sensing the presence of thecustomer may be generated by the first shelf label device. Thistimestamp data may be sent to a server associated with a store, such ascommunication server 401 in FIG. 7.

In step 1203, the customer may be determined to be near a second shelflabel device. Such an example may be as shown in FIG. 7 more customer601 is determined to be near shelf label device 705B. The timestamp theoccurrence of sensing the presence of the customer by the second shelflabel device may be generated by the second shelf label device. Thistimestamp data may be sent to the server associated with the store, suchas communication server 401 in FIG. 7. In step 1205, a determination ofthe time interval between the two determined timestamps may be made. Theserver of the store, such as communication server 401, may perform thestep 1205. An optional step may be conducted in step 1207. In step 1207,a determination may be made as to whether additional time interval thatit is needed in order to more accurately detect movement speed and/ordirection of the customer. If more time interval data is not needed theprocess proceeds to step 1209. If additional time interval that it isneeded, the process proceeds back to step 1203 where an additional shelflabel device may determine the presence of a customer near it. Such anexample may be as shown in FIG. 7 where customer 601 is determined to benear shelf label device 705C. The timestamp of the occurrence of sensingthe presence of the customer may be generated by the additional shelflabel device.

In step 1209, one or more other shelf label devices may be notified ofdirectional movement of the customer and/or speed of movement of thecustomer. In response, in step 1211 additional content may be outputtedon additional shelf label device is when the customer is expected topass such additional shelf label devices. In step 1213, the shelf labeldevice may determine that the customer is out of range of that sensorand subsequently disengage the additional content in step 1215. Theshelf label device may then display content in a usual/default manner instep 1217.

FIG. 13 illustrates another example method of distributing contentaccording to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure. In oneexample, one or more of the steps of FIG. 13 may be implemented bycomputing device 300 in FIG. 3A and/or a device shown in FIG. 3B or 8.The process starts and at step 1301, a server associate with the storeoutputs updates to one or more shelf label devices. Such an example maybe where communication server 401 outputs updates from database 803through network 310 to one or more of shelf label devices 805A, 805B,and/or 805C. In step 1303, a shelf label device receives the updatingsignal. In such an example of FIG. 8, shelf label device 805A mayreceive the updating signal in step 1303. In step 1305, thedetermination may be made as to whether the shelf label device thatreceives the updating signal in step 1303 needs updating. Such an updatemay be an update of content for display and/or some type of softwareupgrade for operational purposes.

If the shelf label device that receives the updating signal in step 1303did not need updating, the process proceeds to step 1311. In step 1311 adetermination is made as to whether there are additional shelf labeldevices. If there are additional shelf label devices, the processreturns back to step 1303 for the additional shelf label device. Ifthere is no additional shelf label device in step 1311, the processends.

If the shelf label device that receives the updating signal in step 1303does need updating, the process moves to step 1307 where the shelf labeldevice is updated as needed. For example if the item associated withshelf label device 805A has a change in price where the price is now alower price than was previously displayed, data for displaying the priceof the associated item is an update for the shelf label device 805A.

Proceeding to step 1309, the determination may be made as to whether oneor more other shelf label devices need notification of the updatingsignal. Such an example may be the case where the shelf label devicethat receives the updating signal in step 1303 is a primary shelf labeldevice. For the example of FIG. 8, shelf label device 805A may be aprimary shelf label device and shelf label devices 805B and 805C may besecondary shelf label devices. In such an example, shelf label devices805B and 805C may not receive the updating signal directly fromcommunication server 401. If no other shelf label device needsnotification in step 1309, the process may end. If other shelf labeldevices need notification in step 1309, the process may precede to step1313 where one or more other shelf label devices are notified before theprocess returns back to step 1303 where such in notified shelf labeldevice receives the updating signal from the primary shelf label device.

FIG. 14 illustrates another example method of distributing contentaccording to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure. In oneexample, one or more of the steps of FIG. 14 may be implemented bycomputing device 300 in FIG. 3A and/or a device shown in FIG. 3B or 7.The process starts and at step 1401, a customer may be identified. Thecustomer may be identified by a customer identification system of astore the customer is entering. As shown in illustrative FIG. 7,customer 601 may be identified by a server, such as communication server401. Having identified the customer in step 1401, the process moves tostep 1403 where the system may determine one or more product purchasecriteria entered by the customer. The system may access a database, suchas database 403, which includes customer specified/entered productcriteria. Examples of customer specified/entered criteria may includethat the customer wants to avoid products with gluten or that thecustomer wants to get a low-fat version/option for a product whenavailable. Other illustrative criteria may be avoiding shellfishproducts, dairy products, nut products, or even products known to bemanufactured in a facility where shellfish, dairy items and/or nuts maybe handled. In the example of FIG. 14, the system may identify thecustomer and determine that the customer is currently seeking to avoidany product manufactured in a facility that handles nut items.

Moving to step 1405, a shelf label device may determine that thecustomer is near it by sensing the customer's presence. The shelf labeldevice may be associated with a candy item that does not itself containnuts, but may be known to be manufactured in a facility that processesnuts. In 1407, a determination may be made as to whether the itemassociated with the shelf label device is an item that is in conflict,e.g., not recommended to be taken by the customer, with one or more ofthe customer product specified criteria. If the determination from step1407 is that the item is not in conflict, the process moves to step 1409where the shelf label device displays content in a usual/default manner.

If the determination from step 1407 is that the item is in conflict, theprocess moves to step 1413 where the shelf label device triggers analert to draw the customer's attention to the identified conflict. Forexample, the shelf label device may turn the display red in color andblink and then include text to indicate that the item associated withthe shelf label device should not be purchased since it is in conflictwith a customer product specified criteria. In accordance with at leastone embodiment, a list of the customer may be updated in response todetermining a conflict between a criteria of the customer, such asgluten-free products only, and an item for purchase on the customer'slist. An update may include removing the conflicting product from thelist of the customer all together, changing the conflicting product to anon-conflicting related product (pasta by Brand X with gluten to pastaby Brand X that is gluten-free), or notifying the customer as to theconflict. A notification may be warranted as the customer may still wantto purchase the conflicting product (such as a situation where there isno real conflict, e.g., the product is for someone else).

In step 1415, the shelf label device may determine that the customer nolonger is in sensing range of the device. Such a circumstance may beafter the customer has moved on from the item associated with the shelflabel device. Upon determining that the customer is no longer within thesensing range of the shelf label device, the shelf label device maydisengage the alert to the customer in step 1417. The process then mayproceed to step 1409 where the shelf label device displays content in ausual/default manner.

From step 1409, the process may proceed to step 1411 where adetermination is made as to whether there is an additional shelf labeldevice that senses the customer. For example, having passed by a firstshelf label device, the customer may pass a second shelf label device.If the determination from step 1411 is that an additional shelf labeldevice senses the customer, the process may return to step 1405 for theadditional shelf label device. If the determination from step 1411 isthat no additional shelf label device senses the customer, the processmay end.

The various features described above are merely non-limiting examples,and can be rearranged, combined, subdivided, omitted, and/or altered inany desired manner. For example, features of the computing devicedescribed herein (which may be one the devices illustrated in FIG. 1)can be subdivided among multiple processors and computing devices. Thetrue scope of this patent should only be defined by the claims thatfollow.

What is claimed:
 1. A method comprising: determining, by a first shelflabel device, whether an individual is within a sensing area of thefirst shelf label device, the first shelf label device configured toprovide information about a first product on a first shelf on which thefirst shelf label device is attached; in response to determining thatthe individual is within the sensing area, determining, by the firstshelf label device, whether to notify an occurrence of the determinationthat the individual is within the sensing area of the first shelf labeldevice to at least one second shelf label device; in response todetermining to notify, transmitting, from the first shelf label device,a notification to the at least one second shelf label device that theindividual is within the sensing area of the first shelf label device;triggering an alert at the at least one second shelf label device basedupon the transmitted notification; determining whether the individual iswithin a sensing area of the at least one second shelf label device, anddisengaging the alert at the at least one second shelf label based upondetermining that the individual is within the sensing area of the atleast one second shelf label device.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: prior to transmitting the notification, outputting defaultdata at the least one second shelf label device, wherein the triggeringthe alert includes outputting non-default data at the least one secondshelf label device.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the outputtingnon-default data includes at least one of: an audio alert, at least oneflashing light, and data outputted on a display of the at least onesecond shelf label device.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein thenotification is an instruction that the first product on the first shelfon which the first shelf label device is attached is in conflict with aproduct on an at least one second shelf on which the at least one secondshelf label device is attached.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein thedetermining whether the individual is within the sensing area of the atleast one second shelf label device includes determining whether theindividual is within the sensing area of the at least one second shelflabel device in a threshold period of time, and wherein disengaging thealert at the at least one second shelf label device based upondetermining that the individual is within the sensing area of the atleast one second shelf label device includes disengaging the alert atthe at least one second shelf label device based upon determining theindividual is within the sensing area of the at least one second shelflabel device in the threshold period of time.
 6. The method of claimwherein the disengaging the alert at the at least one second shelf labeldevice based upon determining that the individual is within the sensingarea of the at least one second shelf label device includes outputtingdefault data at the least one second shelf label device.
 7. The methodof claim 1, further comprising, prior to triggering the alert at the atleast one second shelf label device, determining whether the individualis within a sensing area of the at least one second shelf label device,wherein the triggering the event is responsive to determining theindividual is within the sensing area of the at least one second shelflabel device.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the triggering the alertat the at least one second shelf label device includes triggering aplurality of alerts at a plurality of the at least one second shelflabel devices to draw the individual to a third shelf label device. 9.The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining a list ofproducts for purchase by the individual; and determining whether thefirst product is on the list of products.
 10. The method of claim 9,wherein upon determining the first product is on the list of products,triggering an alert at the first shelf label device.
 11. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the determining the list of products for purchase bythe individual includes accessing data from a mobile device of theindividual.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the determining the listof products for purchase by the individual includes receiving datarepresentative of the list from a third shelf label device.
 13. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the determining the list of products forpurchase by the individual includes receiving data representative of thelist from a server.
 14. The method of claim 9, further comprisingdetermining whether at least one second product is on the list ofproducts, the at least one second shelf label device configured toprovide information about the at least one second product on at leastone second shelf on which the at least one second shelf label device isattached.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first shelf and the atleast one second shelf are the same shelf.
 16. The method of claim 14,wherein the determining whether to notify the occurrence of thedetermination that the individual is within the sensing area of thefirst shelf label device to the at least one second shelf label deviceis based upon determining that the at least one second product is on thelist of products.
 17. An apparatus comprising: at one least processor;at least one sensor; and at least one memory storing computer executableinstructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, causethe apparatus to perform: determining whether an individual is within asensing area of the at least one sensor, the apparatus configured toprovide information about a first product on a first shelf on which theapparatus is attached; in response to determining that the individual iswithin the sensing area, determining whether to notify at least onesecond apparatus to trigger an alert at the at least one secondapparatus; in response to determining to notify, transmitting anotification to trigger the alert at the at least one second apparatus;determining whether the individual is within a sensing area of the atleast one second shelf label device, and disengaging the alert at the atleast one second shelf label based upon determining that the individualis within the sensing area of the at least one second shelf labeldevice.